Cell Structure

Chapter 5

c
 Cell Theory

‡ All organisms are composed of one or more

cells.
‡ Cells are the smallest living units of all living
organisms.
‡ Cells arise only by division of a previously
existing cell.

a
 Cell Characteristics
‡ Genetic material
± single circular molecule of DNA in

prokaryotes
± double helix located in nucleus in

eukaryotes ± nuclear envelope (double

membrane
‡ Cytoplasm fills cell interior ±
ð


± sugars, amino acids,

± proteins - organelles

‡ Plasma membrane encloses

± the cell ± phospholipid bilayer

 

 
˜
Generalized Eukaryotic Cell

^
 Cell Size

‡ Most cells are relatively small because as

size increases, volume increases much
more rapidly.
± longer diffusion time

÷
 ºisualizing Cells

‡ Resolution - minimum distance two points

can be apart and still be distinguished as two
separate points
± Compound microscopes - magnify in

stages using multiple lenses

± Transmission electron microscope -

electrons transmitted through specimen

± Scanning electron microscope - electrons

beamed onto surface of the specimen

£
ºisualizing Cells

ÿ
 Prokaryotic Cells
‡ Simplest organisms
± Cytoplasm is surrounded by plasma membrane and

encased in a rigid cell wall composed of

peptidoglycan.
D no distinct interior compartments

gram-positive ± thick single layer wall that

retains a violet dye from Gram stain procedure
gram-negative ± multilayered wall does not
retain dye

Susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics

depends on cell wall structure.


 Prokaryotic Cells

‡ Some use flagellum for locomotion

± threadlike structures protruding from cell

surface  







  

‰
 Eukaryotic Cells

‡ Characterized by compartmentalization by
an endomembrane system, and the
presence of membrane-bound organelles.
± Central vacuole ± plants, storage

± ºesicles (smaller)

± Chromosomes - DNA and protein

± Cytoskeleton (internal protein scaffolding)

± Cell walls ± plants and fungi

c
cc
ca
 Nucleus
‡ Repository for genetic material
‡ Directs activities of the cell
‡ Usually single, some cells several, RBC none
± Nucleolus - region of intensive ribosomal

RNA synthesis
‡ Surface of nucleus bound by two phospholipid
bilayer membranes
± nuclear membrane

± Nuclear pores ± protein gatekeepers

D Usually proteins going in and RNA going

out
c˜
Nucleus

c^
 Chromosomes

‡ DNA of eukaryotes is divided into linear

chromosomes.
± exist as strands of chromatin, except

during cell division

± associated with packaging histones,

packaging proteins
D nucleosomes

c÷
 Endomembrane System
‡ Compartmentalizes cell, channeling passage
of molecules through cell¶s interior.
± Endoplasmic reticulum

D Rough ER - studded with ribosomes

D Smooth ER - few ribosomes

c£
 Endoplasmic reticulum
‡ Largest internal membrane
‡ Composed of Lipid bilayer
‡ Serves as system of channels from the
nucleus
‡ Functions in storage and secretion
‡ Rough ER is ³rough´ because of associated
ribosomes (sites of protein synthesis
‡ Smooth ER - lack associated ribosomes ±
contained embedded enzymes, catalyze
synthesis of carbohydrate and lipid
molecules
cÿ
 Endomembrane System
‡ Golgi apparatus
± collection of Golgi bodies
D collect, package, and distribute molecules

synthesized at one location in the cell and

utilized at another location
D Front - m
, Back ± 

D Cisternae ± stacked membrane folds

c
 
  
  ! "ð 
#



"

 

 

ð
 

p
 

 
 

 

ð


º   

   




   

 
  
 




c‰
 Endomembrane System
‡ ºesicles
± Lysosomes - membrane-bound vesicles

containing digestive enzymes ± from Golgi

± Microbodies - enzyme-bearing,

membrane-enclosed vesicles.
D Peroxisomes - contain enzymes that

catalyze the removal of electrons and

associated hydrogen atoms
D Peroxisome ± named for hydrogen

peroxide produced as a by-product

D Enzyme breaks down to water and

oxygen a
 
  
  ! "ð 
#



"


 ' 
 


ð 




 

 

$

  


(
 
ð  %


 

   
&


  )





'*
 


ac
 Ribosomes

‡ Ribosomes are RNA-protein complexes

composed of two subunits that join and
attach to messenger RNA.
± site of protein synthesis

± assembled in nucleoli

aa
 ërganelles With DNA

‡ Mitochondria
± bounded by exterior and interior

membranes
± interior partitioned by cristae

‡ Chloroplasts
± have enclosed internal compartments of

stacked grana, containing thylakoids

± found in photosynthetic organisms

a˜
 Mitochondria
O"+ð


 + 



 "
   
  

" 
 %,O

a^
 Chloroplasts


 




  




    

  

 
 


 


a÷
 Endosymbiosis

‡ Endosymbiotic theory suggests engulfed

prokaryotes provided hosts with advantages
associated with specialized metabolic
activities.

a£
Theory of Endosymbiosis

aÿ
 ' 
  


 
 


  

V

- Are appropriate size to be descendants of eubacteria.

- Have inner membranes similar to those on prokaryotic
plasma membranes.
- Replicate by splitting, as in prokaryotes.
- DNA is circular and different from the DNA of the cell's
nucleus.
- Contain their own components for DNA transcription and
translation into proteins .
- Have ribosomes similar to prokaryotic ribosomes.
- Molecular systematics lend evidence to support this
theory.
- Many extant organisms are involved in endosymbiotic
relationships.
a
 Cytoskeleton
‡ Network of protein fibers supporting cell shape and
anchoring organelles
± Actin filaments

D cell movement



± Microtubules



D Hollow tubes 

D Facilitate cell movement

D Centrioles ± barrel shaped

D organelles occur in pairs ±

D help assemble animal cell¶s microtubules

O

± Intermediate filaments

D Stable - don¶t break down

a‰
Cytoskeleton

˜
 Plant Cells

‡ Central vacuole
± often found in the center of a plant, and

serves as a storage facility for water and

other materials
‡ Cell wall
± primary walls ± laid down while cell is

growing
± middle lamella ± glues cells together

± secondary walls ± inside the primary cell

walls after growth

˜c
Plant Cell

˜a
 Animal Cells

‡ Animal cells lack cell walls.

± form extracellular matrix

D provides support, strength, and resilience

˜˜
˜^
˜÷
˜£